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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 58
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OP
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Posts: 58 |
Whenever I notate a new melody and play it back, it plays a MIDI instrument (i.e. banjo 106). Am I able to designate a RealTrack instrument to play my melody back? If so, can I change from one instrument to another to hear how they each sound with the same melody. I realize that BIAB is designed to provide backup instruments, but I had hoped it could give realistic melodies also? When I change the melody instrument to a RealTrack one, I get a real instrument that plays an improvised version of my melody, not the original melody. Any help you can give a BIAB 2016 novice will be appreciated.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
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No, you cannot get exact MIDI playback using RealTracks at this time.
RealTracks = prerecorded audio (not samples).
Notation means MIDI (which is sent to a Synth).
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 58
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OP
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Thanks for the clarification!
Happy Solstice
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 58
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I just recognized that I can change the MIDI instrument by selecting a new patch. This will work for me to at least give me some variety and not sound too synthetic. Thanks
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,475
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Gaelyn, yes, you can change the MIDI sounds. You can also spend almost any amount of money on either a hardware or software MIDI synth. The better ones are much more realistic sounding. If you would like some recommendations, let us know what you are using now and what your budget is.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 58
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OP
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I am simply using my laptop and wanting to share some music with friends so we can play together weekly. I have no other equipment. I am a good amateur musician on a very limited social security budget. Now that I have seen how to give me a little variety in my instruments, it will have to do. Thanks everyone for your advice. I am really enjoying learning how to better use my BIAB 2016.
Larry
Hammered Dulcimer
Oregon
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,475
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Larry, that's fine. It's likely you are using the built-in Realtek soundcard and Microsoft sounds, but you can do much better than that, even for free. I will leave it to others who know more, but I'm sure you will get some recommendations for a free General MIDI VSTi. I encourage you to try that or other solutions and you should like what you hear a lot better.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Larry, that's fine. It's likely you are using the built-in Realtek soundcard and Microsoft sounds, but you can do much better than that, even for free. I will leave it to others who know more, but I'm sure you will get some recommendations for a free General MIDI VSTi. I encourage you to try that or other solutions and you should like what you hear a lot better.
Matt is correct. Investigate free soundfont players and soundfonts (SF2). There are many very good SF2s that are free and as good as or better than some purchased GM sets and they are a lot better than the Realtek sound card. Plus with the free SF2 editor you can replace any SF2 with another, thus I you don't like the trumpet sound in a GM set you can replace it. When I was using SF2s I used to have different sound sets, for instance I had all of my trumpet sounds together. This was in addition to my SF2 GM set. Plus with BiaB and RB you can load as many SF2 sets as your memory will allow. Although SF2 is old technology it is still better than the installed computer sound cards IMHO. I hope this helps.
I think my wife has started to show the first signs of dementia.
She said she can't remember what she ever saw in me!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 58
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OP
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That will be a totally new venture for me. I'll check in to it! Thanks for the idea and advice!
Happy Solstice
Larry
Hammered Dulcimer
Oregon
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
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Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
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Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
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You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
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You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
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- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
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